LEEDS: England produced a dominant performance to defeat Pakistan by an innings and 120 runs in the opening Test of the three-match series at Headingley on Friday, taking a 1-0 lead.
Pakistan were dismissed for just 118 in their second innings after conceding a 238-run first-innings deficit, allowing England to complete a comprehensive victory without needing a fourth innings.
Pakistan’s second innings began disastrously. Jofra Archer removed Imam-ul-Haq for a duck in the second over before striking again in his next over to dismiss Azan Awais for nine.
With Pakistan reduced to 13-2, Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique attempted to rebuild the innings. The pair added 38 runs for the third wicket before Shafique was dismissed by Ollie Robinson for 15.
Pakistan reached lunch at 59-3, but their resistance evaporated in the afternoon session as they lost their remaining seven wickets for just 59 runs.
Mohammad Rizwan offered some resistance, top-scoring with a brisk 41 off 39 balls. Masood scored 29, while Shafique and Saud Shakeel contributed 15 and 14 respectively.
Robinson, Archer and Josh Tongue claimed three wickets each, while Gus Atkinson picked up one as England’s pace attack dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup.
England Post 409 in First Innings
Earlier, England resumed their first innings at 364-8 and added 45 runs before being bowled out for 409 in 89.5 overs.
Jamie Smith and Archer frustrated Pakistan early in the day with a 28-run partnership that took England beyond 400 and further strengthened their position.
Khurram Shahzad eventually ended the stand by dismissing Smith for 25 off 52 balls, with the batter hitting two boundaries.
Archer continued to add valuable runs before Josh Tongue joined him and struck a boundary off Mohammad Abbas.
Shahzad then claimed his third wicket by dismissing Tongue for eight off 10 deliveries, including two boundaries.
Ali Usman was Pakistan’s leading bowler, returning figures of 5-95 from 24 overs to register his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Shahzad finished with three wickets, while Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali claimed one each.
England’s commanding victory gives them an early advantage in the three-match series. Pakistan will now have to regroup quickly and address their batting struggles ahead of the second Test.
